La Mercè of the five continents committed to local creativity
Today saw the presentation of the poster, the proclaimer and the Mercè programme starring international and local artists together with Barcelona's schools of creativity. Between 18 and 24 September, Barcelona celebrates its Festa Major, with guest city Buenos Aires.
La Mercè launched the festival poster today, created by Irish artist Sean Scully, and has revealed the proclaimer, who this year is stand-up Andreu Buenafuente.
La Mercè 2015, which has as its guest city Buenos Aires, will be one of the longest of recent years. The festival invites festival-goers to take in the international scene along with more established artists, while also offering them an insight into Barcelona's cultural and artistic life and its centres of creativity.
The Mercè Street Arts (MAC) festival, Barcelona's big street arts, circus, dance and new technologies event, will be the showcase for the Barcelona scene, with groups from schools and centres of creativity. The MAC will have two venues: the Ciutadella and Castell de Montjuïc.
The Parc de la Ciutadella will be transformed into the more technological and futuristic site of the Mercè. One of the more surprising projects will be the Navecultural aeroplane, a symbol of the connection between the Mercè and the world. Navecultural is a decommissioned commercial aeroplane that artist Eduardo Cajal has converted into a mobile space for cultural activities for the whole family.
At Castell de Montjuïc, the MAC festival will continue to be a contemporary showcase, with big names on the national and international circus scene.
During the festivities, Barcelona's streets will be brimming with tradition: the ceremonial start to the festival, castellers human castles, the correfoc fire run and the Mercè Procession. The Adifolk Association will also be taking part in the Mercè with the International Folk Festival. Traditional dance will fill the Palauet Albéniz performed by Barcelona's traditional dance troupes and sardana dancers.
The BAM, Barcelona Acció Musical, held during the festivities, revealed some of the names appearing in its programme a few days ago. The festival, which is celebrating its 23rd year, will be staging concerts by Los Punsetes, Blank Realm and Beach Beach.
The Mercè Música section offers a wide variety of styles, with artists such as Sisa with Joan Miquel Oliver and Quimi Portet, Mishima and Raúl Rodríguez, to name but a few. The ‘Mediterràniament’ stage returns this year to Bogatell beach, with Oques Grasses, Els Catarres and Els Amics de les Arts.
The Associations Show invites the public to celebrate its 20 years at Plaça de Catalunya with uninterrupted music and activities, where over 300 of the city's associations will be represented.
A more sporty Mercè will be offering all sorts of ways to enjoy the festival and keep fit with lots of sports activities, such as the Cursa de la Mercè 10k run and the swimming race across the Port of Barcelona.
Piromusical will bring the Mercè to a close on Wednesday 24 September with a fireworks display that combines fire, music and water on Avinguda de Maria Cristina.